Runners World, Part of the Hearst UK Wellbeing Network But where did Mahameds journey to the Games begin – which was, amazingly, only his second marathon. Having powered round the famous course from Resting heart rate in an enviable time of 2:07:05, he became Britain’s third-fastest marathoner in history and secured his spot to run at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
For Mahamed, meeting the Olympic qualifying standard in London was simply ‘indescribable’ – especially since it was only his second shot at the 26.2-mile distance. ‘I’m over the moon,’ he said at the time. ‘I’m incredibly proud – it is the greatest achievement of my running career so far, and one of the best days of my life.’
And the Olympic marathon Updated: 15 August 2024 Emile Cairess and Phil Sesemann, who finished an astounding fourth and 46th respectively, 26-year-old Mahamed completed the testing Parisian course in 2:15:19 to place 57th overall – fulfilling his dream of becoming an Olympian.
But where did Mahamed’s journey to the Games begin?
Early days
Born in Jarso, Ethiopia, Mahamed moved to the UK at the age of 13 and struggled to settle as he learned English. He tried a range of sports at school in an attempt to fit in.
But it was watching Mo Farah win gold at the 2012 Olympics in London that inspired him to start running. ‘Mo Farah has played a big role in my sporting career,’ said Mahamed. ‘He’s my idol. He gives me a call whenever I need something, which is one of the best feelings ever.’
Not long after the London Games, Mahamed began to excel at running and joined his local club, Southampton AC. His talent was recognised rapidly and he quickly progressed under the guidance of coach Peter Haynes, winning the Hampshire Cross Country County Championships just a year later.
Mahamed then wore his first Great Britain vest at the 2015 European U17 Championships at Parliament Hill in London. This was a pivotal point in his life, as it inspired him to give up other sports and focus purely on running, hoping that 'one day it would pay off’.
Three years later, in 2018, he won both the English U20 National Championships and the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships.
His first senior title then followed in 2019, when he won the English National Cross Country Championships. A clear cross country specialist, he went on to win this event again in 2022.
The breakthrough year
In 2023, things started to really come together for Mahamed. The first promising event came in February, when he signed a sponsorship deal with Puma. ‘Puma has supported me and given me everything I needed,’ he said. ‘I would not be where I am today without them.’
Most importantly, gaining sponsorship allowed Mahamed to quit his job at Garmin and become a professional athlete. It also happily coincided with his graduation from Southampton Solent University, where he gained an MsC in Sports Coaching and Sports Development.
Later in 2023, he placed second at The Big Half in London – finishing ahead of his idol Mo Farah, in what was his final race – before he made his marathon debut in Valencia. Here, Mahamed conquered the favourably flat and fast Spanish course in 2:08:42.
While this time was spectacular, it was not quite fast enough to meet the Olympic qualification mark of 2:08:10. Mahamed said that he was so nervous the night before the race that he couldn’t sleep – and that, while he was happy with his time, he knew he could go quicker.
From London to Paris
And then, of course, came his London Marathon breakthrough. Supported by his coach Idris Hamud, he said that he had been fully committed to securing that coveted spot on Team GB’s Olympic marathon team, and went into the race feeling more confident than he did for his debut. As a result, in London, he knocked more than a minute and a half off his result from Valencia.
The best running spikes for track sessions and XC Georgia Bell wins 1500m bronze at debut Olympics in the build up to the race. Mahamed continues to be vocal about how much his religion means to him as a practicing Muslim, and balancing fasting with his training for London was a challenge that he embraced.
‘It was really challenging,’ he said. ‘I was nervous leading up to the race. I had to train during the night, after I started eating at around 7:30pm or 8pm. But my religion means a lot to me, and I take it seriously. Ramadan is very important to me.’
Resting heart rate Ifrane, Morocco, because the lights were left on until the early hours to enable runners to train overnight during the holy month.
Ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris – arguably the pinnacle of his running career so far – Mahamed did not hide his excitement about toeing the line with some the best athletes in the world.
‘They’re all my heroes,’ he said. ‘I grew up wishing to be like them, as I grew up while they competed. To line up with these guys will be one of my best achievements.’
And he certainly did himself – and his nation – proud on the streets of Paris, where he raced valiantly alongside his running inspirations. And better? There’s even more to come from Mahamed yet.
